Mixing Different Types of Pet Food: Is it Safe?

Guest Blog by Dr Michelle Ooi, BVSc (Hons), CVFT
When it comes to feeding our dogs and cats, the one question I often get asked during my consultations is, “Can I mix different types of pet food in the same meal?” It’s understandable that this topic has sparked considerable debate among pet owners and within the pet nutrition community, especially when it comes to mixing any existing diet with fresh (raw/cooked) pet food, as there are different theories and schools of thought.
However, to answer the question directly: yes, you can mix cooked or raw pet food with kibble and any other diets such as wet food, freeze dried or air dried food. However, there are some nuances to consider. Let’s dive into the reasoning and practical aspects to understand why combining different diets is safe and when it might make sense.
Why Consider Mixing Different Types of Food?
There are a couple of practical reasons for giving your pet a blend of different diets. One common scenario is transitioning your pet from their existing diet to cooked or raw food over a certain number of days. This gradual shift minimizes digestive upset and helps your pet adapt to the new diet. Pets with sensitive stomachs often benefit from this approach, as their digestive system needs time to adjust without causing diarrhoea or other digestive issues. Transitioning is a common practice, even when switching between different pet food brands that are within the same diet type.
Another reason is cost. While it is ideal to have your dog or cat on fresh food for all their meals, feeding a fully fresh food diet might not be an option for some pet owners. Mixing a more economical option—like kibble, with raw or gently cooked food is one way to stretch your resources while still providing the benefits of fresh, nutrient-rich meals. Remember, incorporating even 10-15% of fresh food in their meals is better than feeding an ultra-processed food like kibble exclusively.
Debunking Myths About Mixing Kibble and Raw
There’s a belief that mixing kibble and raw food can lead to digestive chaos due to the foods digesting at different rates—but these claims are not scientifically supported.
The digestive systems of dogs and cats are highly adaptable. Once food reaches the stomach, digestive juices—including hydrochloric acid, pepsin, and lipase—get to work breaking it down [1]. These enzymes don’t discriminate between raw food, kibble, or any other type of food. Instead, they adjust based on the nutrient content of the meal. For example, a higher protein or fat content triggers the release of more enzymes such as pepsin and digestive lipase respectively. In fact, digestion already begins when your dog or cat is anticipating the arrival of their meal and their body starts to trigger a release of digestive enzymes in their stomach.
A study on commercial dog food ingredients found that diets with more resistant starches caused food to leave the stomach faster, while those with less resistant starch digested more slowly [2]. Slower digestion (to an extent, of course), like what happens with grain-free raw or gently cooked diets, allows for better nutrient absorption, making it more beneficial for your pet’s overall health compared to the quicker digestion seen with carbohydrate heavy kibble.
It’s also important to address the myth of a higher bacteria load caused by mixing diets—differing digestion rates don’t necessarily cause harmful bacteria to grow faster in the digestive tract. The hydrochloric acid in a healthy adult dog’s stomach is incredibly potent, designed to destroy bacteria like salmonella and E. coli. Whether they are digesting raw food, cooked food, kibble, or a mixture, this natural mechanism ensures their stomach remains a safe and efficient environment for safely breaking down and digesting their food, as long as the food does not contain overwhelming amounts of pathogenic bacteria or moulds and their toxins in the first place.
The Role of Fresh and Raw Food in a Pet’s Diet
Fresh pet food, including raw and gently cooked options, offers unparalleled nutritional benefits. Unlike kibble, which is considered ultra processed and high in carbohydrate, complete & balanced cooked and raw foods provide a more natural source of protein, fats, and essential nutrients. These nutrients are more bioavailable, meaning your pet’s body can absorb and utilize them more efficiently. Fresh food diets are also more supportive of a healthy gut microbiome, which is becoming increasingly recognised as an important component for overall well-being both in animals and humans.
While kibble is convenient and shelf-stable, it’s not the most nutritious long-term choice for pets. In addition to being higher in carbohydrates compared to other diets such as raw food, many contain artificial additives and flavouring, which can contribute to obesity, dental issues, and other health problems over time. However, in certain situations, kibble may be the only viable option due to financial or logistical constraints. If that’s the case, combining it with some fresh food is a practical way to enhance your pet’s diet. Studies show that adding fresh food to a pet’s diet can significantly reduce the risk of chronic diseases [3].
My Approach as a Veterinarian
In my experience, feeding a mixed diet can be a practical solution for many pet owners. However, it’s essential to introduce new foods and diets gradually, and closely monitor your pet’s response. If your pet has a sensitive stomach, start by adding small amounts of cooked food to their existing diet and gradually increase the proportion over a week or two to no more than 10% of their diet.
If you’re ready to transition your pet to a diet that comprises fresh food, I recommend starting with high-quality products that are complete and balanced by AAFCO or NRC standards. Look for foods that list animal-based protein as their first ingredient and include whole ingredients without artificial preservatives or fillers. The key is to provide a balanced and nutritionally complete diet tailored to your pet’s needs. Always consult with your pet’s veterinarian before making significant dietary changes, especially if your cat or dog has underlying health conditions.
Pay attention as well to proper sourcing, storage and handling as fresh food spoils more easily than other more processed food (kibble, canned, baked, dried etc), in order to avoid stomach upsets in your pet.
How The Grateful Pet Can Help
At The Grateful Pet, they understand the importance of providing fresh, wholesome nutrition for your furry companions. Their range of raw and gently cooked dog and cat food is crafted with care and formulated to meet your pet’s daily dietary requirements, using nutrient-rich ingredients. This ensures they receive the best possible nutrition without compromise. Whether you’re finding a way to boost your pet’s nutrition, or to fully transition them from kibble to fresh pet food, The Grateful Pet’s products make it easy to prioritize your cat or dog’s health and well-being.
Remember, feeding your pet is not just about convenience—it’s about nurturing their body and supporting their long-term health.
More About Dr Michelle Ooi
Dr. Michelle holds a Bachelor of Veterinary Science from the University of Queensland, Australia. She began her career working in various government sectors—ranging from wildlife conservation to pathology to animal welfare—before transitioning to clinical practice.
An athlete since childhood and now a national record-holding freediver, Dr. Michelle has always prioritized health, nutrition, and performance. Her experience in optimizing her own health and performance gives her a unique perspective on translating these principles to animal care. She believes that nutrition, movement and environment are just as critical for pets as they are for humans and aims to help pet owners make informed choices that support lifelong health and well-being.
To deepen her understanding of how diet influences disease prevention and management, she pursued a certificate in Veterinary Food Therapy with the Chi Institute. She saw first hand how the switch from kibble to a fresh food diet benefitted her Singapore Special, Sirius. She is looking forward to further developing her expertise in integrative medicine, expanding her skill set to provide more comprehensive treatment options for the animals she works with.
Reference
[1] A review of the physiology of the canine digestive tract—Nutr Res Rev, June 1998 https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/19087459/
[2] Effect of Total Starch and Resistant Starch in Commercial Extruded Dog Foods on Gastric Emptying in Siberian Huskies—Animals (Basel), October 2021 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC8532653/
[3] Effects of a whole food diet on immune function and inflammatory phenotype in healthy dogs—Front Vet Sci., August 2022 https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC9447376/